Absurd to equate Netanyahu with terrorists says Crosetto

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 23 - Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Saturday that it is "absurd" to put Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the same level as Hamas after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him for alleged war crimes.
    The ICC also issued warrants for former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif over the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Gaza war.
    "The government's position is that we will study in depth the explanation of the sentence, which, at first glance, seems more political than technical," said Crosetto.
    "But the thing that struck me the most, and which I said from the start, is that we found it unacceptable and absurd to equate the leaders of a terrorist organisation that attacked innocent people with those who legitimately lead a democratic state and are defending themselves".
    Crosetto's words echoed statements made by Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday.
    Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has said that Italy would decide with its Group of Seven (G7) allies on Monday what position to take regarding the ICC arrest warrants. (ANSA).